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Comparing Gaming Tax Profits around Europe

02 October 2019, 15:08 CET

For the past two decades, the EU has been aggressively pushing its members to relax gaming laws.

As a result, you can find online and offline casinos in nearly all European countries. And while that means you can enjoy gaming in hundreds of cities throughout Europe, you'll get better treatment in some countries than in others. So, what's the best EU country to be a gambler?

Austria

Players don't pay taxes for wins made in a casino. Instead, local and foreign casinos pay the dues, usually 35-80% of all stakes made by Austrian players. Technically, Austria lacks any authority over overseas online casinos. That means it can't follow up if foreign casinos choose not to pay taxes to the country.

Belgium

Belgians have been gambling since the dark ages, but their government formally legalized gaming in 2002. Belgium provides gaming licenses carefully to limit the number of casinos in the country. For gamers, the government doesn't tax their wins. That's good news to all Belgian players, but it means casinos have to bear the taxation burden in the country.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria first recognized gambling as a legal activity in 1993, but it didn't impose taxes on the industry until 1998. Similar to Belgium, authorities in Sofia give out gambling licenses scarcely to make regulation easier.

Bulgaria didn't recognize online gambling until 1998 and waited for four more years to streamline the sector. Casinos pay taxes in the country, which ensures players can keep 100% of their wins with no tax obligations.

Czech Republic

The first casino in the Czech Republic opened its doors in 1956 and operated as a monopoly until 1991. All along, the government never taxed players but imposed the casino, Sazka S.A. a 6-20% tax. Over the years, more casinos launched in the Czech, with most of them basing their headquarters in Prague.

Precisely, over 200 casinos have physical offices in different Czech cities. But similar to other European citizens, players from the Czech Republic find it more convenient to gamble online. There's no need to leave the house to access slots and card games. They simply need an Internet-enabled laptop or mobile device to play.

What's more, players can get the same immersive experience land-based casinos provides by joining an excellent live casino. That means they can socialize with fellow players and the dealers, giving them the most crucial benefit offered by traditional casinos.

Denmark

Danish citizens have been gambling since the early 1900s, and they have their government to thank for that. Unlike some EU countries, the Danish government has always leaned toward progressiveness in the gaming sector.

Land-based casinos in the country may not agree with the government's 45-75% tax, but Danish players don't have to worry about taxation. They can play on local or foreign online casinos and keep the entire amount they win.

Finland

Although the Finnish have been gambling since the 1600s, their government didn't legalize gaming until 1917. Still, Finland didn't license it first casino until in 1991. To date, the country only features that single casino.

Fortunately, Finland allows its players to gamble on foreign casino sites. And thanks to that, Finnish players are accepted in nearly all European casinos. In some casinos, Finnish players get exclusive bonuses. They also don't pay taxes on their wins

Germany

The first casino in Germany opened in 1756. More casinos launched in the next 100 years but Germany unexpectedly outlawed the industry in 1872. After years of push and pull between casino investors and the government, gambling became legal again in 1933.

Over the years, Germany has witnessed continued disputes between casinos and authorities. But wherever gambling is legal in the country, players don't pay taxes for their wins. Casinos, however, pay 80% of their revenues as taxes.

Hungary

Although Hungarians have been gambling since the early 1900s, the Hungarian government established a gambling law in 1991. It gave out only one license, making szZT the only casino in Hungary until later in 2020.

It's worth noting Hungary amended its gambling laws in 2013 to allow more operators in the country. But because the 30% tax they must pay to operate in Hungary is higher than in countries like Malta, there are still very few casinos in the country.

Italy

Italy has a long history of gambling that dates back to the Roman Empire. Back then, people gambled dice in the streets. In 1638, an investor launched Italy's first casino and based it in Venice. Over time, more casinos opened and operated with any interference from the government.

The Italian government formally recognized the gambling industry in 2006 after licensing online casinos. In its rulebook, Italian players wouldn't pay taxes on their wins. Instead, the casinos would pay 1% of the revenues to the government as tax.

Malta

Malta is home to most of Europe's online casinos, and that didn't happen by coincidence. The small island located south of Sicily introduced lax taxation laws in the early-2000s to attract the attention of gambling companies.

Malta charges operators €46,000 to base their offices and operate within its borders. It also charges them 15-40% of their gross revenue as annual tax. But other than that, the government continually improves its working conditions to remain the top destination for online casinos.

Sweden

Sweden might have one of the longest histories of gambling, but it still holds a monopoly over gambling in the country. It offers casino services through the Svenska Spel. However, Swedish players regularly play on foreign casino websites. Their government doesn't tax their winnings, and neither does it prohibit them from playing on overseas platforms.

To Conclude

Plenty of EU countries allow their citizens to access casino services. In Italy, casinos only have to pay 1% tax on their revenues and players keep their profits with no tax. In Germany, operators pay taxes profoundly while in Finland, and the Czech casinos pay fairer amounts as tax.

If you live within the EU, you are almost assured of playing casino games on Europe-based casino sites. You are not required to pay taxation, and you can keep 100% of your wins.

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